The upgrade enables printing on a range of Ricoh-approved paper thicknesses of up to 800 microns. It is available now in Europe on new Pro C9500 presses and is also retrofittable.
The manufacturer said the High Caliper Media Customisation service would enable users to target growth with market opportunities ranging from loyalty and gift cards to thick media brochures, bespoke luxury packaging, compostable food cartons, high impact direct mail inserts, and point-of-purchase (POP) applications.
Ricoh stated: “The versatile and responsive production of crisp, vibrant, and sharp print, with inline personalisation and coding capabilities, on heavier substrates, supports the cost effective provision of profitable short runs, customised offers, and localised promotion.”
Simon Isaacs, national director at Ricoh UK Graphic Communications, said: “This latest enhancement will provide commercial printers with additional benefits that will open up new market opportunities and revenue streams, whilst promoting sustainable practices particularly in the gift and loyalty card industries.”
Erwin Busselot, director of business innovation and solutions at Ricoh Graphic Communications, added: “The High Caliper Media Customisation service is the latest enhancement for the Pro C9500, and it demonstrates our continuing commitment to developing the production versatility of our digital systems as part of our Co-innovation strategy.
“This new enhancement supports a wider range of exciting application possibilities, enabling our clients to grow their businesses. This includes the production of loyalty and gift cards and co-innovative collaborations such as the recently announced partnership with Green Gift Cards.
“It also presents fresh opportunities in high margin areas such as luxury business cards, swing tags, and gift card packaging.”
